North West

Fun day held in memory of former Lowton pupil

Millie Pillington, six, and Ethan Davies, seven, enjoy a donkey ride

Sally and Graham Hart with Leigh MP Andy Burnham and his School of Science team including Liverpool Walton MP Steve Rotheram and former Liverpool Chief Executive and Head of the Premier League Rick Parry

Megan Calland shows off her loom band skills

Teacher Shirley Brandwood soaks Year 10 student Adam Barclay

Hazel Walker shows some of the skills you can learn at Lowton as part of the Adult and Community Learning Programme

HUNDREDS of residents have gathered for an annual family fun day and Strawberry Fayre.

Pupils, parents, staff and residents enjoyed a variety of stalls and entertainment including face-painting and fairground rides at Lowton CE High School.

One of the highlights of the event was the special football tournament in honour of former pupil Toby Hart who was fatally injured after falling from a cliff on a family holiday to Cornwall in 2012 aged 16.

As a tribute, Toby’s parents Graham and Sally set up the charity Toby’s Gift which raises money for The Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Head teacher John Shanahan said: “This was a fantastic event and it was great to see some many people come into our school to have a good time and also find out a little bit more about life at Lowton.

“It was particularly pleasing to see so many of our students and their parents turn out to support the school.

PTA member Vicky Tyrell paints four-year old Louie Heaton’s face

“The event gives our students the chance to raise money for their house charities which means that organisations like Wigan and Leigh Hospice, Derian House and Cancer Research will benefit.

“We’d like to thank everyone who made this year’s fun day such a great success.”

Among the many players in this year’s competition was Leigh MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Health Andy Burnham.

Mr Burnham’s team - School of Science, made it all the way to final only to be beaten on penalties by Cats United.

Toby’s mum Sally added: “What a great day. All the teams have done us proud and it’s good that we managed to get so many of Toby’s friends out of bed on a Sunday morning to come and support the competition.

“It’s a chance for us to not only raise money for a good cause but to raise awareness about it as well and to keep Toby’s memory alive.”